SRINAGAR: Indian Railways is on track to complete its first dedicated high-speed test track by the end of the 2025–26 financial year, marking a major step in advancing rail safety and technology, according to The Indian Express.
The facility is being developed by the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) in Rajasthan at an estimated cost of Rs 967 crore. The 64-km test corridor is coming up between Gudha and Thathana Mithri in the Nawa area of the Jodhpur Division, around 70 km from Jaipur. Under the administrative control of North Western Railway (NWR), the track has been designed to support train speeds of up to 220 kmph, allowing high-speed trials in a controlled setting.
Shashi Kiran, Chief Public Relations Officer of North Western Railway, told The Indian Express that the project involves the construction of the country’s first RDSO-dedicated test track for comprehensive testing of rolling stock. He said approximately 58 km of the track has already been completed, with the entire project scheduled for completion by March 2026.
Once commissioned, the test facility is expected to play a crucial role in enhancing safety standards and expediting the approval of new rolling stock and railway technologies.
Meanwhile, Indian Railways is also progressing with capacity expansion works in Rajasthan. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has approved the doubling of the 25-km Umra–Debari railway section at an estimated cost of Rs 492 crore.
The doubling project aims to reduce congestion and improve rail connectivity to Udaipur, a key tourist destination. On completion, it is expected to enable faster train operations and strengthen links with major cities such as Ahmedabad and Jaipur, benefiting both passenger and freight services.
